WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 1800 GMT, February 15, 2019 to 0800 GMT, February 16, 2019.

Iran warns US

Iran’s foreign minister warns the US and its allies that it would be suicidal to start a war with the Islamic Republic. Mohammad Javad Zarif was speaking in an interview with NBC News on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. He said the same gang that was behind the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, is pushing for war with Iran. The top Iranian diplomat noted that the plot will fail. Zarif also accused the US of having a pathological obsession with Iran. He ruled out the possibility of renegotiating the 2015 nuclear deal with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

US isolation

The European Union foreign policy chief expresses the bloc’s determination to preserve the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Federica Mogherini was speaking with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. She also called for the full implementation of the agreement known as the JCPOA. Earlier, Mogherini said the nuclear accord is fundamental and crucial for Europe’s security.

Illinois mass shooting

In the US State of Illinois, five people have been killed and several police officers wounded after a gunman opened fire in the city of Aurora. The police chief added that the shooter was killed while engaging in gunfire with security forces. All five wounded police officers were airlifted to local hospitals. The incident happened at a manufacturing company southwest of the city of Chicago. The shooter was identified as a 45-year-old man who is believed to be an employee at the company. The incident led to a lockdown in the neighborhood where the shooting took place.

UN chief concern

The United Nations secretary-general has raised the alarm about the ongoing humanitarian situation in the besieged Gaza Strip. Antonio Guterres called on the international community to step up efforts to revitalize Gaza’s economy. The coastal enclave has been under a crippling Israeli siege since 2007. Guterres also criticized the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. He said the move fuels unrest in the occupied territories. The UN chief urged Israel to refrain from using lethal force against Palestinians.

Tough sentence for Manafort

US Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team has recommended that President Donald Trump’s former campaign chief serve 19.5 to 24.5 years in prison. The Mueller team recommended the sentencing for Paul Manafort after he was found guilty of eight financial crimes and also intentionally lying to government prosecutors. Meanwhile, President Trump’s press secretary has been interviewed by the Mueller team. Sarah Sanders says she fully cooperated and voluntarily spoke to prosecutors. Mueller is looking into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election.

Nigeria polls postponed

Nigeria's electoral watchdog has postponed the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections to February 23rd, just hours before polls were due to open. Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said the previously arranged timeline was not feasible. He added that the delay was needed to hold a free and fair election. The country's two main political parties condemned the decision. They blame each other for orchestrating the delay as a way of manipulating the vote. The delay follows the fresh acts of violence in the country. In the most recent one, at least 66 people were killed in attacks on the northwestern Nigerian state of Kaduna.

Khashoggi murder probe

Turkey’s president has called on the US not to shelve the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi because of its relations with Riyadh. Rejep Tayyip Erdogan added that Ankara is determined to get Khashoggi’s killing investigated by an international court. The Saudi Arabian dissident was killed at the country’s consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Earlier this month, a UN-led inquiry said there is proof that the crime was planned and perpetrated by Saudi officials. A CIA assessment also shows the Saudi crown prince is likely to have ordered the killing. But US President Donald Trump has backed the crown prince, citing Washington’s lucrative weapons sales to Riyadh.

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